Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI

793B.02/1–2050: Telegram

The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

secret

New Delhi, January 20, 1950—2 p. m.

89. Reference Deptel 25, January 11.¹ During my discussion with Foreign Secretary Menon January 14 re Tibetan proposal send mission US (Embtel 88, January 20), I told him we had had under consideration for some months advisability sending party to Lhasa and asked for GOI views. I said that we did not at this time wish to make any move re Tibet which might render more difficult success present GOI policy of encouraging Tibetans to preserve autonomy without at same time stimulating Chinese Communist moves against Tibet. Menon replied that he would “think it over” and inform me at later date. Last night he told me he had discussed question with Nehru.² Nehru said that Indian Government of course would not put any obstacles in way of despatch of an American party to Lhasa and would treat such a party with appropriate courtesy. Nehru added, however, he felt that to send American party at this time “would do more harm than good.” He felt chief disadvantage to despatch such party would be that it might hasten Communist invasion of Tibet.

As Department previously informed, we also feel despatch of mission under present delicate conditions might precipitate Communist incursion Tibet and, therefore, recommend that, particularly in view discouraging attitude Indians, plans send mission Lhasa be deferred for present. One of reasons which impels us take this stand is that if mission is sent contrary to Indian recommendations and Chinese Communists do in fact invade Tibet, Indians would be quick place blame on us. It is, of course, possible shifts in rather fluid situation this area may cause us later to change our recommendations this respect.³

Sent Department 89; Department pass London.

Henderson

1. See footnote 4 to telegram 44, January 10, from New Delhi, p. 273.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs.
3. In telegram 69, January 24, to New Delhi, not printed, the Department of State concurred in the inadvisability of sending a Foreign Service Officer to Lhasa at the present time (793B.02/1–2050).